Summary
Nyakonton Aid Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving maternal and child health in underserved communities. This example tells the story of their public awareness campaigns in the Banda district of Ghana. Aim: to improve awareness and education on pregnancy and safe delivery and to prevent child marriages, together with relevant stakeholders. The result is a marked improvement in maternal and child care. As for child marriages, however, the conclusion is that they will only decrease if the economic situation of families improves.
Problem analysis
The problem that we Nyankonton Aid Foundation intended to address with public awareness campaigns in the Banda district of Ghana was the lack of knowledge and understanding within the community regarding the risks and consequences of maternal mortality, morbidity, and child marriage. The campaigns aimed to improve awareness and education on these critical issues by engaging healthcare professionals and community leaders in providing informative sessions to empower the local population with the necessary information to make informed decisions about maternal and child health. Ultimately, the goal was to create a positive impact by equipping the community with the knowledge and resources needed to address these pressing challenges and improve health outcomes for women and children in the region.
Solution analysis
The possible responses to improve the situation of lack of awareness about the risks and consequences of maternal mortality, morbidity, and child marriage in the Banda district of Ghana included organising public awareness campaigns, engaging healthcare professionals and community leaders to conduct informative sessions, and providing educational materials to the local community. Additionally, exploring partnerships with local organisations and leveraging technology for broader reach were also considered as potential solutions to enhance the effectiveness of the awareness campaigns and address the identified issues.
Stakeholder analysis
Which stakeholders (NGO’s, government, private sector) did you identify as allies and how did you involve them?
Direct beneficiaries such as mothers, newborns, families, and Banda Community leaders, along with Banda Health Directorate and Resource Link Foundation, were identified as stakeholders in the stakeholder analysis. They were actively involved in the action/campaign through consultation, collaboration, and feedback mechanisms to ensure their needs and perspectives were taken into account.
Involving allies such as NGO's, specifically Resource Link Foundation, and governmental bodies in the public awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement activities was crucial for garnering support and resources. NAF Ghana collaborated with these stakeholders by inviting them to participate in the informative sessions, discussions, and advocacy efforts. This partnership allowed for the sharing of expertise, resources, and networks to amplify the impact of the campaigns and advocacy initiatives.
Which stakeholders did you identify as neutral and how did you mobilise them?
To engage them, we concentrated on raising awareness and providing education about our initiatives. NAF Ghana rallied support by disseminating information, emphasizing the importance and urgency of addressing maternal mortality, morbidity, and child marriage, and showcasing the potential positive outcomes of the proposed interventions.
Which stakeholders did you identify as opponents and why were they opposed?
Oppposition is mainly due to cultural beliefs and practices that conflict with external intervention. For example, the Fulani tribe considers it taboo for third parties to witness their wives' nudity during childbirth, leading to home deliveries and increased maternal mortality. Additionally, child marriage is perpetuated by some parents to alleviate financial strain, presenting a challenge to our initiatives aimed at addressing maternal and child health issues. Understanding and addressing these cultural sensitivities is crucial for effective stakeholder engagement and sustainable outcomes.
How did you involve your beneficiaries in the stakeholder analysis/campaign?
We worked closely with the beneficiaries, seeking their input and feedback during consultation sessions to shape our initiatives based on their needs. By involving them in a transparent and inclusive manner, we empowered them to take ownership of the campaign, making them essential partners in both planning and execution.
Short description of the organisation implementing the action/campaign
Nyakonton Aid Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving maternal and child health in underserved communities. With a focus on community-driven solutions and stakeholder engagement, Nyankonton Aid Foundation works collaboratively with local partners to address health disparities, promote education, and empower women and families to lead healthier lives. Through evidence-based interventions and advocacy efforts, Nyankonton Aid Foundation strives to create sustainable impact and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services.
Objectives
1. Increase knowledge and understanding within the community about the risks and consequences of maternal mortality, morbidity, and child marriage through informative sessions conducted by healthcare professionals and community leaders.
2. Empower the community: Provide essential information and education to empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding maternal and child health, ultimately enabling them to take proactive steps to improve their well-being.
3. Equip the community with the necessary knowledge and resources to address pressing challenges related to maternal and child health, with the overarching goal of improving health outcomes for women and children in the region.
Action results
1. The campaigns successfully raised awareness within the community about the risks and consequences of maternal mortality, morbidity, and child marriage. Participants gained a better understanding of the challenges and were equipped with vital information to make informed decisions.
2. By providing essential knowledge and education, the campaigns empowered individuals to take proactive steps towards improving maternal and child health. Community members were more confident in making decisions that positively impacted their well-being.
3. The action/campaign had a positive impact on the community by providing them with the necessary resources to address pressing challenges related to maternal and child health. This ultimately led to improved health outcomes for women and children in the district and contributed to the overall well-being of the community.
Description of preparatory activities
1. Conduct a needs assessment to identify key issues related to maternal mortality, morbidity, and child marriage in the Banda district of Ghana.
2. Engage with local community members, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders to gather insights and perspectives.
3. Develop educational materials to raise awareness and provide necessary information on maternal and child health and child marriage.
Description of implementation
1. The action/campaign was carried out by first conducting a needs assessment to identify key issues concerning maternal mortality, morbidity, and child marriage in the Banda district of Ghana. This initial step allowed for the targeted planning and execution of subsequent activities aimed at addressing these pressing challenges and improving health outcomes for women and children in the districts.
2. The action/campaign effectively engaged with direct beneficiaries, including mothers, newborns, local community members, healthcare professionals from the Banda Health Directorate, as well as organisations like Resource Link Foundation. This collaborative approach ensured a comprehensive understanding of the issues related to maternal mortality, morbidity, and child marriage in the Banda district of Ghana, enabling targeted interventions and informed decision-making to enhance health outcomes for women and children in the community.
3. The action/campaign was methodically implemented by developing educational materials to raise awareness and provide necessary information on maternal and child health as well as child marriage. These materials served as valuable resources to inform and empower the community, contributing to improved health outcomes for women and children in the Banda district of Ghana.
Description of time investmen
2 staffs and 3 volunteers took on most of the work
Costs
1. Community entries and mobilisation/Inception workshop with stakeholders of the 10 communities; car rental/fuel, refreshment/lunch/materials, facilitators per diem - €1500.
2. Hold (2) multi-stakeholder forums for advocacy on maternal mortality, morbidity; costs include purchasing materials, transportation, accommodation, refreshment /lunch and facilitator fees - €1050.
3. Hold (2) multi-stakeholder forums for advocacy plan and strategy to end child marriage and other gender-based violence issues; costs include purchasing materials, transportation, accommodation and facilitator fees - €1050.
Follow up
After the conclusion of the public awareness campaigns in the Banda district of Ghana, follow-up actions were taken to assess the impact of the interventions. As a result, there was an increase in community members seeking antenatal care and delivering at health facilities, especially among tribes like the Fulani who previously preferred home deliveries due to cultural beliefs. However, the issue of child marriage presented a more complex challenge, with poverty identified as a key driver of this harmful practice. Families need to achieve financial independence to effectively end child marriage, as economic constraints often push parents to engage in such arrangements. Addressing the entrenched cultural norms and economic disparities that perpetuate child marriage is crucial for creating sustainable solutions and improving the well-being of women and children in the community.
